Here is another great article, about the need for installing a chimney cap! A bigs thank you goes out to Doug Hetsch and his entire team over at " All American Chimney " in beautiful Louisville KY. After reading this article, if you have time jump over to our interview with Doug Hetsch on our HomeContractors HQ-- podcast Episode 25 … [Read more...]

Email questions to Ask The Chimney Sweep.com
Hello,
Our chimney is 27" wide by 25" high by 23" deep. The chimney is in a relatively new home ( 4 years ).
We have a special air system installed by the builder. There is a vent under the grate that we keep open when operating the fire. The fireplace working really, really well and we use it a lot. If we could make one wish, it … [Read more...]

The fireplace has certainly changed since its original design so long ago. Improvements have been made since the primitive use of fire containing devices, one of the most recent of which being the factory built or prefabricated fireplace unit. A prefabricated unit, or prefab, is made of metal instead of brick or other masonry materials. A prefab uses insulation, pipes which are … [Read more...]

A chimney flue is very important because it carries dangerous byproducts of combustion out of your home. Fires have been used for warmth for centuries, and over time our knowledge of what needs to be done in order to keep the chimney safe has evolved. A dirty or damaged chimney can be potentially destructive in that it can cause a chimney fire which can significantly damage … [Read more...]

An expansion joint around the top flue tile serves a very practical purpose. As the fire burns in the fireplace, the hot gases of combustion vent up the flue system. These hot gases in turn warm the flue system, causing it to expand. If the crown is constructed such that the cement is installed all the way up to the top flue tile, as the top flue tile expands when it heats, it … [Read more...]

Fireplace dampers sit almost directly above the heat of the fire. Over time, the extreme heat and rapid change in temperature can warp and damage the fireplace damper such that they need replaced. A damper must be in one piece that is snug to the flue in order for it to work properly, and if the damper cracks while being rapidly heated and cooled, it will no … [Read more...]

“Oh my gosh, Honey the ceiling by the fireplace is leaking like crazy, get a bucket, NO.... get lots of buckets”
I get lots of water problems phone calls like this all during our rainy season March - July
I found some interesting rain fall statistics for Cincinnati
Did you know that our heaviest rainfall herein Cincinnati occurs during the month of May, with over 5 … [Read more...]

On this episode 11 of HomeContractors HQ ..... Clay is speaking with Brion Barnhill.
Brion was immersed in his busiest season of the year, and the person on the other end of the line wanted help installing a wood-stove in a Tree House.“At first I thought it was a prank,” said Barnhill, After a few follow-up calls, he realized the installation request was legitimate; two … [Read more...]

When a chimney fire occurs, wind damage, or lightning strikes your chimney, damage is incurred. Most folks' insurance policies cover such occurrences, and a chimney professional must try to help homeowners to make the insurance process go as smoothly as possible. My number one recommendation when it comes to insurance claims, no matter what kind of insurance, is to document … [Read more...]

Jerry Isenhour chats with Clay about the importance of being a leader in your own business. Stay tuned til the end for Clay’s request involving goals for 2017. It’s a three-way street: win, win, win. http://homecontractorshq.libsyn.com/46-be-a-leader-jerry-isenhour

“Oh my gosh, Honey the ceiling by the fireplace is leaking like crazy, get a bucket, NO…. get lots of buckets” I get lots of water problems phone calls like this all during our rainy season all thru From March thou July.I found some interesting rain fall statistics for here in Cincinnati. Did you know that […]

Fireplace dampers sit almost directly above the heat of the fire. Over time, the extreme heat and rapid change in temperature can warp and damage the fireplace damper such that they need replaced. A damper must be in one piece that is snug to the flue in order for it to work properly, and […]